Floor waxer and polisher



H. C. DORNHECKER FLOOR WAXER AND POLISHER Filed April 1925 2 SheetS-Sheet l Patented May 28, 1929.

warren stares HENRY G. DORNHECKER, 0F BALTIMORE. MARYLAND.

FLOOR WAXER AND EOLISHER.

Application filed April 7, 1925.

This invention relates to devices for working upon the floors of dwellings or other buildings and has particular reference to a combined floor waxer and polisher.

The object of the invention, generally stated, is to provide an implement of this character of the fountain type inasmuch as provision is made for filling the device with suitable wax which will be automatically applied to the floor when the device is pushed back and forth.

Another object of the invention, more specifically stated, is to provide a device of this character so constructed and arranged that upon one stroke, say the forward one, means will be actuated for positively applying wax to the floor, the return stroke being idle, this action being entirely automatic and not requiring any manipulation on the part of the operator.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character in which the waxing member is adapted to have detachably connected therewith a polishing member which, when the device is drawn back and forth over a floor, will act to rub the wax in and produce the desired glossy and smooth effect.

In my co-pending application, Serial No. 625,081, filed March 14th, 1923, I have disclosed a device embodying these same principles and it is another object of the present invention to simplfy the construction in point of detail whereby the number of parts will be reduced and the cost of manufacture consequently lessened.

Still another object of the invention is to provide adjustable means whereby the rate of feed of the wax may be varied, depending upon the thickness of the coating desiredto be applied to the floor, the adjusting means beingoperable from the exterior of the device and being consequently within easy reach.

To the attainment of the foregoing and other objects and advantages which will become apparent during the course of the following detailed description, the invention may consist in the arrangement and combination of parts to be-hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of the complete device with the polishcr in applied oropcrative position.

Serial No. 21,363.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the polishing member removed.

Figure 3 is a central through the complete device With the pol isher illustrated by dotted lines.

Figure 4 is a cross section on the line 4-4: of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, I have shown the device as comprising a box-like casing 10 preferablyvof rectangular formation with its top closed by a wall 11 and its bottom 12 open. Naturally, such details as shape, size and material may vary within wide limits though this casing may conveniently be formed as a casting of some metal such, for instance, as ,castiron so as to provide the necessary weight. Formed or otherwise provided on the top 11 arespaced apertured cars 13 with which is pivotally connected, at 1 1, a socket structure or device 15 adapted to receive an operating handle '16 by means of which the device may be pushed about.

Located within the end portions of this box or casing and extending in transverse relation thereto, are, rollers 17 and 18 mounted, as for instance upon shafts, spindles or the like such as the screws or bolts'illustrated at 19 passed transversely through the casing. Trained about these rollers is an endless belt 20 which is for the purpose of applying wax to the floor. The size and location of the roll ers are such that the lower stretch of the belt extends below the open bottom 12 of they 21 within the casing above the upper stretch of the bolt 20 is intended; to be filled with any suitable floor wax, the top 11 having a filling opening 23 normally closed by a' hinged door 24.

Formed or otherwise provided on the inner faces of the opposite sides of the casing 1O are ledges 25 located in such position as-to support the upper stretch of the belt 21 and prevent it from sagging down to an excessive extent when a mass of wax is placed within the device. At one end of the ledges are formed transversely extending stop webs 26 which serve as abutments or limiting means for a wedge 27 which is floatingly supported upon the lower stretch ofthe belt. The smaller end of this wedge is disposed toward and adjacent the roller 18 while the longitudinal section larger end is adapted to engage the stops 26, this action occurring when the device is pushed back and forth over a floor or other surface to be treated, it being clear that when a stroke is made in one direction the wedge 27 will engage between the belt 20 and the roller 18 and hold the belt stationary, whereas when the device is moved in the other direction the wedges will disengage the roller 18 and permit the rollers and belt to move.

The wax feed regulating means is represented as including a bar or block 28 arranged transversely within one end of the casing between the end wall and vertically arranged guides 29. Extending through the top of the casing, and mounted for rotative movement therein, while prevented from axial movement, is a screw 30 threaded through the block or bar 28 so that when the screw is turned in one directionthe bar will be raised and when it is turned in the other direction the bar will be lowered, thus varying the space between the belt and thebar and regulating the feed. At the other end the casing is preferably provided with a lip 22 which extends to a point near the roller 17 and which prevents the waxing material from dropping down or out.

In theoperation, itis evident that after the device has been filled with wax it is simply pushed about over the floor to be treated, the belt moving, at one stroke of the device, and dragging down a quantity of the war; from the compartment 21 beneath the bar or block 28 and applying it to the floor or other surface. On the reverse strol-ze the wedge block operates, as above indicated, to lock one roller so that the belt drags over the floor, rubbing in the wax preparatory to the polishing opcration which is subsequently gone t irough with. V

7 As one of the purposes of the present invention is to provide a combined waXer and polisher, I make use of an auxiliary device or attachment designated generally by the numeral 31, which device includes a suitable referably rectangular body 82 carrying tiristles 3 3 and having a peripheral padding 34;, of felt or other similar material which will serve as a buffer to prevent scarring or otherwise injuring the furniture, baseboards, wainscoting or the like. To permit ready attachment or detachment of this polis' ing accessory, I have shown it as equipped near its ends with resilient tongues or brackets 8,

ada ted to frictionall' en 'a 'e within the open bottom of the casing a ainst the inner faces of the end walls thereof these end walls being preferably beveled, as indicated at 36,

- so as to facilitate entrance of the tongues or brackets within the casing, it being of course apparent that these resilient members must have a natural tendency to spring outwardly in order that the proper holding action will be assured.

After the waxing operation has been completcd, as above described, the brush attachment is applied and the device dragged back and forth over the floor in a well known man ner to put the final high polish thereon, the waxing mechanism being obviously entirely inoperative while the brush device is in use.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawings, it will be apparent that I have thus provided a simple, inexpensive and very convenient device for the purpose specified, which includes the minimum number of parts, which is readilyadjustable as to feed and which will be a great saver of time, labor and annoyance, especially as it entirely eliminates all necessity for the manual application of war: as is the common practice.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that I reserve the right to make such changes in the form, construction and arrangement of parts as will not depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. In a device of the character described, a casing having an open bottom, a pair of rollers journaled transversely within the casing, a belttrained about the rollers and havin its lower stretch extending beneath the openliottom of the casing, said casing being formed on the inner faces of its side walls with longitudin ally extending ledges supporting the up per stretch of the belt, said upper stretch being adapted to have waxing material placed thereon, a wedge located within the casing and resting upon the lower stretch of the belt with its smaller end adjacent one roller and stop means formed on the ledges engageable by the other end of the wedge for preventing it from engaging the other roller.

2. In a device of the character described, a casing having an open bottom, a pair of 'roll ers journaled transversely within the casing, a belt trained about the rollers and having its lower stretch extending beneath the open bottom of the casing, said casing being formed on the inner faces of its side walls with longitudinally extendln ledges supporting the upper stretch of the belt, said upper stretch being adapted to have waxing material placed thereon, a wedge located within the casing and resting upon the lower stretch of the belt with its smaller end adjacent one roller, st p means formed on the ledges engagcable by the other end of the wedge for preventing it from engaging the other roller, and a vertically'movable member mounted within the upper portion of the casing and cooperating with the upper stretch of the belt where it engages one roller to define a feed opening.

8. In a device of the character described, a casing having an open bottom, rollers ournaled within the casing, a belt trained about the rollers and having its lower stretch extending beyond the open bottom of the eascompartment for Waxing material, means for holding the rollers and belt stationary when the device is moved in one direction and for permitting movement thereof when it is moved in the other direction, and means cooperating with the upper stretch of the belt at one roller for varying the discharge of wax.

4. In a device of the character described, a casing having an open bottom, rollers journaled within the casing, a belt trained about the rollers and having its lower stretch extending beyond the open bottom of the easing, the space within the casing above the upper stretch of the belt serving as a storage compartment for waxing material means for holding the rollers and belt stationary when the device is moved in one direction and for permitting movement thereof when it is moved in the other direction, and means cooperating with the upper stretch of the belt at one roller for varying the discharge of wax, said means comprising a vertically movable bar extending transversely of the easing, and means for adjusting'the position of the bar.

5. In a device of the character described, a casing having an open bottom, rollers journaled within the casing, a' belt trained about the rollers and having its lower stretch extending beyond the open bottom of the easing, the space within the casing above the upper stretch of the belt serving as a storage compartment for waxing material, means for holding the rollers and belt stationary when the device is moved in'one direction and for permitting movement thereof when it is moved in the other direction, and means cooperating with the upper stretch of the belt at one roller for varying the discharge of wax, said means comprising a horizontally disposed bar guidably mounted, and a screw extending through the top of the casing and having threaded connection with the bar.

6. In a device of the character described, a casing, rollers journaled therein, an endless belt trained about the rollers and having its lower stretch projecting beyond the bottom of the casing, the space above the upper stretch of the belt serving as a compartment for containing waxing material, and means formed upon the sides of the casing and located within the intermediate portion thereof supporting said upper stretch of the belt and the weight of the material thereon.

7. In a device of the character described, a casing having an open bottom, rollers journaled within the casing near the ends thereof, an endless belt trained about the rollers and having its lower stretch projecting beyond the open bottom of the casing, the space above the upper stretch of the belt serving as a compartment for containing waxing material, feed regulating means located within the casing near one roller, and a lip in the other end of the casing overhanging a portion of the other roller for preventing the waxing material from dropping down.

8. In a device of the character described, a casing having an open bottom and a closed top, the top being provided with a normally closed filling opening, rollers journaled with in the casing near the ends thereof, a belttrained about said rollers and having its lower stretch projecting below the open bottom of the casing, ledges formed integrally upon the walls of the casing for supporting the intermediate portion of the upper stretch of the belt, said upper stretch serving to support waxing material placed within the casing through said filling opening, and means cooperating with thebelt and the rollers for holding the belt stationary when the device is moved in one direction and permitting it I to move when the device is moved in the opposite direction. i

9. In a device of the charz cter described including a casing, a wax applying belt mov ably mounted in said casing, means project ing inwardly from and formed upon the side walls thereof for engaging said belt, the upper stretch thereof being supported by said means, and the portion of said casing above the upper stretch of said belt serving as a reservoir for waxing material.

10. In a device of the character described, a casing having an open bottom, rollers journaled in the casing, an endless belt trained about the rollers and having its lower stretch projecting beyond the open bottom of the casing, the space above the upper stretch of the belt serving as a storage compartment for waxing material, means within the casing for preventing wax from dropping down at one roller, and feed regulating means within the casing at the other roller.

11. In a device of the character described, a casing having an open bottom, rollers journaled in the casing, an endless belt trained about the rollers and having its lower stretch projecting beyond the open bottom of the casing, the space above the upper stretch of the belt serving as a storage compartment for waxing material, means within the casing for preventing wax from dropping down at one roller, and feed regulating means within the casing at the other roller, the feed regulating means including a vertically movable member cooperating with the belt, and'screw means for varying the position thereof with respect to the belt.

12. In a device of the character described, a casing, rollers journaled therein, an endless belt trained about the rollers and having its lower stretch operating beyond the bottom of the casing, the space above the belt serving as a storage'compartment for containing waxing material, a retaining member movably mounted upon the lower stretch and engageable with one roller for preventing rotation thereof during movement of the casing in one direction, and means within the casing engageable by said retaining member for preventing engagement thereof with the other roller upon reverse movement of the casing.

13. In a device of the character described, a casing, spaced rollers journaled therein, an endless belt trained about said rollers and having its lower stretch projecting beyond the bottom of the casing, and means slidably mounted upon the lower stretch of the belt operating upon movement'thereof in one direction to jam between the same and one roller for preventing rotation of the latter, and inwardly projecting means on the sides of the casing extending in the path of movement of said slidable means for hunting its movement in one direction.

14. In a device of the character-described, a casing, spaced rollers journaled therein, an endlessbelttrained about said rollers and having its lower stretch projecting beyond the bottom of the casing,'and means movably mounted upon the lower stretch of the belt operating upon movement thereof in one direction to jam between the same and one roller for preventing rotation of the latter, and stop means within the casin g engageable with said means upon movement thereof in.

the other direction to prevent engagement thereof with the other roller.

15. In a floor waxing and polishing combination tool, a casing containing wax applying mechanism, and a polishing member detachably engageable with the casing, the polishing member being disposed against the bottom of the casing and serving as a closure therefor to render the, Waxing mechanism inoperative, and upwardly projecting normally divergent spring members carried by the polishing member and received within the end portions of the casing in frictional engage ment with the walls thereof.

16. In a floor waxing and polishing combination tool, a casing containing wax applying mechanism, and a polishing member detachably engageable with the easing, the polishing member being disposed against the bottom of the casing and serving as a closure therefor to render the waxing mechanism inoperative and upwardly projecting normally divergent spring members carried by the polishing member and received within the end portions of the casing in frictional engagement with the walls thereof, the edges of said walls being beveled oil at the inner surfaces to facilitate entrance of the spring mei'nbers.

In testimony whereof Ia'liix my'signature.

HENRY C. DORNHECKER. 

